Ukrainian ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko blasts Four Corners episode

Ukraine’s Ambassador to Australia has blasted an ABC program about the war in Ukraine as “pro-Putin and pro-violence” as he demands a meeting with the boss of the network.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, has blasted an ABC program about the war in Ukraine. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Ukraine’s Ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko has blasted an ABC program about the war in Ukraine as a “journalistic equivalent of a bowl of vomit”.

The documentary by filmmaker Sean Langan titled “Ukraine’s War: The Other Side” aired on Four Corners on Monday night and was plugged as offering a human perspective of life on the Russian frontline.

But Mr Myroshnychenko on Tuesday accused it of unquestioningly repeating “countless blatant lies, historical distortions, racist claims and propaganda narratives emanating from the Kremlin”.

“It also minimised and denigrated the deaths of thousands of innocent Ukrainian men, women and children who have been killed by Russian soldiers in an illegal and brutal invasion strongly condemned by Australia and the majority of countries through the UNGA resolution in March 2022,” he wrote on X.

“The Australian Broadcasting Corporation should be ashamed that it put such total garbage to air.

“It completely served the interests of Russia’s dictator, Putin.”

Mr Myroshnychenko has asked for a meeting with the managing director of the ABC to discuss his concerns. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Mr Myroshnychenko said he had asked, via Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, for a meeting with the managing director of the ABC and the executive producer of Four Corners.

He said he sought to understand what process led to the airing of “this pro-Putin and pro-violence propaganda piece” by the national broadcaster.

“I will share with them the facts that the program totally disregarded,” Mr Myroshnychenko said.

The UK documentary was released on February 19.

Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations co-chair Stefan Romaniw has called for an apology, saying the ABC’s decision to air the documentary provided a platform for Russian propaganda.

Mr Romaniw says the program has also caused “profound distress” for the Ukrainian-Australian community, many of whom have loved ones suffering due to the actions of Russian soldiers.

“It is nonsense for the ABC to pretend this was fearless journalism, bringing us ‘extraordinary access’ to the ‘other side’,” he said.

Mr Romaniw is calling on the ABC to apologise for airing the episode.

“Spreading lies and sowing confusion about right and wrong is a direct aim of Russian propaganda. And now the ABC has fallen into the trap, using taxpayers’ money to beam Russian propaganda directly into Australian living rooms.”

Mr Romaniw said he would write to the ABC board, managing director and Communications Minister to complain about the broadcast.

“The AFUO calls on the ABC to apologise for the editorial oversight which allowed for this program to be aired in Australia,” he said.

Ms Rowland said the ABC had operational and editorial independence.

“I have received the Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia’s correspondence, and have provided him with information regarding the ABC complaints process and relevant contact details,” she said.

Members of the Ukrainian community are expected to protest outside the ABC’s Ultimo studios in Sydney on Tuesday afternoon.

An ABC spokesperson defended the airing of the “challenging but legitimate documentary”, saying it was made by a reputable journalist and adds to “our understanding of this tragic conflict” by showing the full, horrific impact of the war.

The spokesperson said the ABC would meet with the Ukrainian Ambassador to discuss his concerns.

“The documentary is being seen internationally and is considered an important contribution to the reporting of the war,” the spokesperson said.

“The reporter challenges the Russian soldiers and civilians featured in the film about their beliefs and opinions

“We believe Australian audiences also have the right to watch it and make up their own minds.”